IT has been a strangely quiet spring on Eigg as the Covid-19 lockdown has seen the island empty of all visitors. While this has been a blow for a community that relies on tourism, islanders have been working together to ensure that the most vulnerable are properly protected and that the island will be ready to welcome visitors once lockdown is over.
The community has been working hard to put in place a resilience plan in case the virus makes it ashore, while Trust work in the tree nursery and the development of An Laimhrig is continuing.
We are being well served by Calmac who are continuing a lifeline service which, key workers apart, consists almost entirely of freight, while Eigg shop has introduced a delivery service for those who are self-isolating or are in quarantine.
April’s sunny weather has been a welcome relief, especially after the wetness of winter and many islanders have been taking advantage of their less busy schedules to get down to some gardening.
It is certainly going to be a strange summer on the island but our priority remains keeping our population safe and secure until such time as we can open up and welcome visitors once more. Dream now, travel later is our message to visitors!
We were coming back this summer to show our children and grandchildren where we met in 1977. So much has happened and changed since then but it will be a pleasure to return once again to visit you, whenever it is safe to do so. Oh to row around the island again after work, catch mackerel as we drift along, scrunch along the singing sands, watch the sun set, light a fire a fire to cook our fish then head wearily back to the Crow’s Nest. Thank you Eigg for one of the best years of my life. Suzy
The island sounds like a charming place, and I’m impressed with the eco-friendly development model in place. I’m a native of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, and some of my ancestors were originally from Eigg: Hugh MacIssac emigrated in 1843 to Nova Scotia. My late dad grew up in Inverness County, N.S. speaking Gaelic at home. Till I get the time and circumstances change to enable travel, take care and stay safe on Eigg!
i had the great good fortune to visit eigg in 2018..i climbed beinn bhuidhe,and nearly to the summit of the sgurr.. it was a holiday of a lifetime ,i aim to return to volunteer on a distant land i love when its safe to do so..me and my wife barnie often recall our visit,she even applied for the headteachers post but as i write she at school in inner city newcastle a long way from the singing sands..take care ,joe conway